Saints are set to go into battle in Europe without French striker Gregory Tade, who struck against Eskisehirspor last season.

The former Inverness Caley Thistle centre was due to sign a contract extension after agreeing to take-up an option for a further season at McDiarmid.

But yesterday manager Tommy Wright learned that Tade was heading for contract talks with Romanian side Cluj rather than preparing to join the rest of the Perth squad for pre-season training on Thursday.

“Personally I find this very disappointing because we had talked with Gregory’s representatives and they had assured us he was ready to sign the option for another year when he returned from holiday. When that didn’t happen he was meant to come in and sign later this week.

“But alarm bells were ringing when we heard that clubs in Romania and Mexico were showing some interest.

“Now we learn he is off to the continent for talks with Cluj.

“There is nothing we can do about it because the option was Gregory’s.

“I wish him well but the way this has been handled is very disappointing.”

It is a further contractual blow for the Perth club, coming hard on the heels of the ongoing Richie Brittain pre-contract wrangle.